Lancette Arts Journal |
Book Reviews |
July 2003 |
By Alidė Kohlhaas
Somewhat shamefacedly I have to admit that until recently I had never read any of Russell Hoban’s astonishing books. Yes, indeed, I had not even known about him until shortly before I came into the possession of three of his highly unusual novels. So, her I want to say right away, I am glad I found this writer, and I recommend him highly. A warning is attached, however. One must undertake the reading of his novels free of preconceptions.
The 78-year-old Hoban is Pennsylvania-born, but moved to London in 1968. He served briefly in WWII, but hepatitis brought a discharge. His writing career – he started as a commercial illustrator and copywriter – began with children's books, inspired by his four children of his first marriage.
Some of you might have come across such books, even read them as children: What Does It Do and How Does It Work?, Bedtime for Frances, Herman the Loser, The Sea-Thing Child, various Captain Najork books, and most recently, Jim's Lion.
His marriage broke up after the move to London. Wife Lillian returned to the States with the four children, where she continued her career as a top-notch illustrator. Hoban met German Gundula Ahl at Truslove and Hanson, a bookstore on Sloane Street. There she worked as a 'book siren' (his description). Wanting only one book, "...she made sure I left having bought about eight," he said of her. They married in 1975, . . .
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